Conneely does the damage in Moycullen’s derby victory

Killannin 1-16

By Mike Rafferty at Pearse Stadium

THE battle of the near neighbours went along the expected lines but there was nothing soft about proceedings as Moycullen made it back to back wins in the Senior Football championship, while Killannin fell to a first defeat in a contest played at Pearse Stadium on Sunday.

With Killannin having the advantage of the elements in the opening half, they certainly needed to have built up some sort of an advantage by the break, but courtesy of two goals it was Moycullen who led at the interval.

The resumption saw them continue to build on that lead as Dessie Conneely slotted over four points in succession and when Fiachra McDonagh slotted home his second goal of the game shortly afterwards, it was lights out for any prospect of a Killannin comeback.

To their credit and mainly through the promptings of Dara Walsh, Ryan Roche and Cian Marks, Killannin kept plugging away as a 1-5 tally in the closing minutes made the margin of defeat look somewhat more respectable.

Indeed, the challenge of Gay O'Brien's charges were commendable considering they had to play all the second half with 14 players following the dismissal of Ronan Caldwell on 30 minutes for two yellow card offences. Killannin certainly started the game in lively fashion and there was no sign of an inferiority complex as Cathal Walsh opened their account with a point.

A strong run from defence by Mark Bradley set up Dessie Conneely for the equaliser, before Conneely struck for a 4th minute goal when Niall Walsh fed him possession and in a flash, a side step and a low shot had the ball in the net.

It was the start of a very productive outing for the inside forward and sympathy goes to those in defence who were trying to mark him. Obviously, credit goes to Conneely for his finishing ability, but huge kudos must also go to those out the field who provided the ammunition with perfectly placed passes that the former county player gobbled up as his tally of 1-9 from play indicates. Indeed, another statistic from Moycullen's total tally of 3-17, is that all of it came from play.

The goal concession did not appear to affect Killannin as they continued to stroke over points. After Roche had a powerful shot from a tight angle saved by Pierce Greally, a Dara Walsh score was followed by a Enda Kelly free, before Conneely and Kelly exchanged further scores. Killannin spurned another scoring chance when a Cian Marks shot came off a post and Brian Mitchell was denied by another smart Greally save from the rebound.

Pictured: Moycullen defender Michael Moughan eyes up his options against Dara Walsh of Killannin during Sunday's Senior Football clash at Pearse Stadium. Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy.